Gallery Ghost: Find the Ghost Who Paints the Most! by Anna Nilsen, 2008, Birdcage Press, $17.95, hardbound, 40 pages. Category/Genre: mainstream. Cover: good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble.
Written to help children develop an interest in the arts, Gallery Ghost is a mystery of sorts. The narrator, Sarah, works at night to clean a haunted art gallery, and wants the readers' help. She's playing a game with the ghosts of the artists: the artists put details of their own paintings onto the paintings of other artists. The goal is to figure out which ghost made the most changes.
There are a lot of artists represented -- 24, in fact, and their names and a brief description are given.
There's a score sheet included, and a magnifying glass to help the reader find the clues. The answers are at the back of the book. It's a pretty clever idea.
Written for up to age seven.
If you like this one, try: Suggestions?
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour!
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour!
Wind Dancer by Chris Platt, 2014, Peachtree, $15.95, hardbound, 126 pages. Category/Genre: mainstream. Cover: brilliant. A handsome face, indeed! Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
This is a touching story about a girl who lost her horse and a young man who lost his leg in a war he can't forget.
Ali McCormick, 13, has decided not to love horses anymore; it hurts too much after losing her precious Max. But she can't decide not to love her brother, who she also feels she's lost after he came home from Afghanistan damaged.
But Ali's best friend, Cara, won't let her forget how special horses are, and neither will Ali's parents, who soon bring home a pair of neglected horses for Ali to tend.
You'll have to read the book to find out if Wind Dancer, one of the horses in question, can save the people who are trying to save him.
For middle readers.
If you like this one, try: Suggestions?
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour!
Also, go to http://peachtree-online.com/index.php/book/wind-dancer.html to get information on author Chris Platt.
Wolves by Jack Ballard, 2012, FalconGuides, $9.95, softbound, 85 pages. Category/Genre: reference. Cover: excellent. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
This field guide is designed to help the reader better understand the wolf. It begins with the names and descriptions of wolves, and how to tell them apart from their relations. For example, when viewed head-on, a wolf's face may be described as rather blocky and square compared to the more narrow, triangular shape of a coyote's face.
The author goes over range and habitat, as well as the abilities and behaviour of wolves. There's a section on the vocal and visual communication of wolves, including the well-known howl.
Another chapter deals with the relationship between wolves and their prey, and wolves and other predators. Mating, pregnancy, birth, and the nurturing of pups is discussed, as well as the relationship between wolves and humans.
If you like this one, try: Suggestions?
Choose a colour that describes you. List the reasons you think that colour describes you, and use one of those reasons to write a poem.
Weeds by Alexander C Martin, Illustrated by Jean Zallinger, 1987, St Martin's Press, $6.95, softbound, 160 pages. Category/Genre: reference. Cover: cool. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
This fully illustrated, compact book explains what weeds are and what harm they cause, the benefits of weeds, and major weed habitats.
There are 145 pages of illustrations, descriptions, and maps to help you identify the weeds you see. Often, the illustrations are of the entire weed as well as a close-up of some identifying feature or other, such as a flower or seed.
We would prefer the weeds be colour-coded, and information given on their flowering and fruiting seasons. Other to that, this is a very handy book to have.
If you like this one, try: Suggestions?
Claude at the Beach by Alex T Smith, 2014, Peachtree, $12.95, hardbound, 96 pages. Category/Genre: mainstream. Cover: appropriate. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
Another in the humourous 'Claude' series, this one has Claude and his companion, Sir Bobblysock, going to the beach for a vacation.
Fans of the previous installments will thoroughly enjoy Claude and Sir Bobblysock's antics as they find out what a visit to the beach is all about, from sunbathing to sharks to pirates.
Written for grades 2-4.
If you like this one, try: Claude in the City, by Alex T Smith; Claude at the Circus, by Alex T Smith.
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the tour!
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the tour!
The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead, 2012, Razorbill, $18.99, hardbound, 418 pages. Category/Genre: supernatural. Cover: good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
Alchemist Sydney Sage serves to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires, and to protect vampire secrets. She's expected to loathe and fear the vampires she protects, but secretly she's growing closer to them.
When someone attacks Sydney's friend, moroi vampire Sonya Karp, it becomes apparent that vampire hunters, who Sydney and others thought were a myth, are reality. And Sydney may be the only chance at stopping them.
In the quieter moments, Sonya and fellow moroi Dimitri Belikov are conducting experiments to try and figure out how to protect themselves against the evil strigoi vampires. But Sonya's expectations push Sydney's buttons when she wants some of Sydney's blood for one of the experiments. Blood is power, especially where vampires are concerned, and Sydney doesn't want to give any of hers to a vampire, even if that vampire is supposed to be a friend.
There are troubles at school, as well, starting with dhampir vampire Angeline Dawes's constantly getting into trouble, and Sydney's teacher trying to teach her magic -- another thing that's on Sydney's list of things never to do.
An excellent addition to the Bloodlines series.
If you like this one, try: Vampire Academy, by Richelle Mead.
Note: strong language.
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the blog tour!
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the tour!
Beneath the Sun by Melissa Stewart, Illustrated by Constance R Bergum, 2014, Peachtree, $16.95, hardbound, 31 pages. Category/Genre: reference. Cover: terrific. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
This book is all about how wild animals cope with the summer sun. Animals are shown in fields, in the desert, in wetlands, on seashores, and even underground and underwater.
Constance R Bergum's beautiful illustrations punctuate the text and bring to life the many creatures mentioned. Stewart chose a wide variety of animals, from a woodchuck to a black swallowtail caterpillar to a male osprey and fiddler crabs.
Both children and adults will enjoy learning about the kinds of methods animals have for dealing with the sun. For preschool up to third grade readers.
If you like this one, try: When Rain Falls, by Melissa Stewart; Under the Sun, by Melissa Stewart.
Check out the author's website at: http://www.melissa-stewart.com/.
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the blog tour!
Peachtree Blog.
Let's Meet a Marine Educator! by Tasha Jacobson, 2009, Windward Publishing, $11.58, softbound, 36 pages. Category/Genre: reference. Cover: good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble.
This book is intended to help kids decide if they want to become a marine educator for a living. It starts off with explaining what a marine educator is, and talks about where a marine educator works.
The focal point of the book is the introduction of Tammy Rach, a marine educator herself. Through this book, the reader learns that marine educators often organise learning events, such as summer camps, and that they will visit schools or put on workshops.
There are lots of photographs of marine educators and marine life, as well as information about marine life. There's also a section on conservation. The book closes with tips on what to do if you are interested in a marine education career.
Several organisations and websites are included, as well as a bibliography.
For ages 10-15.
If you like this one, try: Suggestions?
Ranch Style: The Artistic Culture and Design of the Real West by David R Stoecklein, 2003, Stoecklein Publishing, $35.00, hardbound, 143 pages. Category/Genre: photography. Cover: evocative. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
For a look at true ranch style, one needs not go further than this book, which is filled with full-colour photos of various emblems of ranch life.
In it, you'll find windmills, mailboxes, cattle crossing signs, a clever 'Warning' sign ('Don't Cross This Field Unless You Can Run It In 9.9 Seconds. Our Bull Can Do It In 10 Flat.'), antlers, fence posts, hay fields, grain elevators, and the sides of old buildings.
Stoecklein is dedicated to keeping the spirit of the West alive, and ranchers and cowboys from every western state have shared their culture to help him do that. This book is a result of some of that work.
If you like this one, try: Suggestions?
Bat Loves the Night by Nicola Davies, Illustrated by Sarah Fox-Davies, 2001, Candlewick Press, $ 8.99, softbound, 29 pages. Category/Genre: mainstream. Cover: brilliant. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
This beautifully descriptive book follows Bat as she flies through the night searching for food and returns to her young one in the morning. The watercolour and pencil illustrations are masterfully done and capture Bat and her surroundings with precision and love.
At the front of the book are line drawings of seven different types of bats (Bat, a pipistrelle, makes eight). Along the way, bat facts are inserted beside the main text.
'Thistledown fur,' 'pixie ears,' velvet scrap,' and 'coat-hanger feet' are some of the vivid descriptions you'll find in this book.
Alan Marriott reads the CD which accompanies the 'Read, Listen, and Wonder' version.
For ages 5-8.
If you like this one, try: Little Lost Bat, by Sandra Markle; The Moonflower, by H Peter Loewer.
Rules Are Rules by Julie Scandora, 2008, Book Publishers Network, $17.95, hardbound, 32 pages. Category/Genre: mainstream. Cover: very good. Where we got it: author. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble.
This story is about a little girl named Maya who is expected to give her aunt a kiss, but doesn't feel comfortable doing so. Angry, she goes to 'her' forest, where she is able to think more clearly.
Maya also tells her troubles to a trusted neighbour, elderly Mrs Morales, who lives alone except for her cat. Mrs Morales helps Maya think through her problem, and come to a conclusion as to what to do about it.
A well told and thoughtful tale which guides children to listen to their intuition, find comfort in nature, share their problems with a caring adult, and to know they deserve respect. And adults could learn a thing or two from it, as well.
If you like this one, try: Suggestions?
Eco-Friendly Families by Helen Coronato, 2008, Penguin Group, $15.95, softbound, 256 pages. Category/Genre: how-to. Cover: fine. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble.
Written as a guide to help families go green, this book begins with the preparations you will need to take before going green and moves on to the small changes you can make in order to get big results. For example, try replacing your burnt-out bulbs with more energy-efficient light bulbs.
Coronato also has chapters on setting goals, as well as the Three R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Throughout the book, she has 'Five-Minute Makeovers,' such as placing a brick inside your commode tank to help lower the amount of water needed to refill the tank.
Ideas on how to clean your house using green methods, as well as a 'Room-by-Room Eco-Redesign' are other topics covered. Coronato includes some green websites in her appendix.
If you like this one, try: Suggestions?
